Water pump



Aug. 17, 1965 K.H.BURG1N 3,200,754

WATER PUMP Filed Feb. 10, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 HNVENTEHQ KERMIT H. BURGIN 1MM/w44. may

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United States Patent() 3,266,754 WATER PUMP v Kermit H. Burgin, Whitestown, Ind., assignor of eighty percent to Frederick B. Cline, lndanapoiis, 1nd. Filed Feb. 10, 1964, Ser. No. 343,834 3 Claims. (Cl. 10S-8S) This invention relates primarily to means for producing a delivery of high velocity of water or other liquid from a two stage centrifugal pump having a vertically disposed drive shaft, wherein the irst stage is of a screw thread type with its intake to be submerged in the liquid to be pumped, and the second stage is of a centrifugal type.

Reference is made to my co-pending application Ser. No. 280,794, led May 16, 1963, and allowed December 2, 1963 now U.S. Patent No. 3,128,740.

My invention herein set forth may be employed for pumping iluid in many situations. It may be employed to give a high thrust at the pump delivery end for jet propulsion of boats; to lift fluids to high elevations; deliver water for irrigating purposes; street ushing; and in fact in any situation wherein a high pressure or high Velocity of water is required.

It is a known fact that when a liuid is accelerated or given a momentum change, a force is required to produce this acceleration in the fluid and, at the same time, there is an equal and opposite reaction force which is called the thrust. The principle of jet propulsion is based on this reactive principle. Then the efliciency of the drive depends upon the exhaust velocity of the mass of water being hurled from a jet nozzle.

It is also well known that a properly designed centrifugal pump is ideally suited to variable speed operations which means that in a water boat propulsion device, this type of pump will operate very well not only at high speeds, but at low speeds. The structure embodying the present invention is particularly well adapted to operate at high speeds.

In reference to a centrifugal pump, water is admitted into a central axial zone to the interior edges of a set of moving turbine-like buckets which discharge the water by outer edges of those buckets with kinetic energy sumcient to give the desired velocity of the water through a gradually enlarging spiral passage which transforms kinetic energy into pressure energy in turn setting up the desired velocity of the water through a conduit and out a discharge. A centrifugal pump in its elemental form generally requires priming in order to fill the center zone the buckets. It is necessary of course that the centrifugal pump should run with all of its parts full of water in the absence of such filling, a low intake pressure would produce vaporizing of the fluid. Also in this regard, cavitation is to be avoided.

In the present invention, a centrifugal pump of a special design is employed as one form thereof to have discharge passageways from a single set of buckets. By so doing the exit fluid reactive thrusts will counteract a rotative reaction force of the pump as a whole. Also in the present invention, the centrifugal pump is located above the water level and the discharge must be above that water level in order to obtain the maximum reactive effect particularly when the device is applied to a boat drive.

Further, in the present invention, an auxiliary auger type of pump is employed to deliver water at a predetermined velocity into the intake zone of the centrifugal pump not only in order to be assured that the spaces within the pump and between the buckets be completely lled with water at all times, but that a high pressure be made in the intake zone to avoid cavitation at high irnpeller speeds.

3,2%,151 Patented Aug. 17, 1965 One particular form of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a vertical, side elevation of a pump structure embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal section on the line 2 2. in FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section on the line 3-3 in FIG. l; and

FlG. 4 is a transverse section on the line 4-4 in FIG. 3.

In the present form of the invention, there is employed a base generally designated by the numeral 11i which is approximateiy cylindrical and hollow in shape. Within this base 10 there is freely, rotatively carried a frustoconical member 11. Then within the member 11 there is a second frusto-conical member 12. This member 12, while hollow, is preferably closed at both ends against entrance of water therewithin. The member 12 has a base 13 which is much less in diameter than is the internal base diameter of the member 11, FG. 2. The member 12 is substantially of the same height as is the member 11. The upper end of the member 12 is of less diameter than is the diameter of the member 11 and the space between the upper ends of those two members 11 and 12 is open. This relationship of the two members 11 and 12 provides a conical annular chamber between the members 11 and 12 which chamber decreases in volume from bottom to top.

There are spiral lift members 14, preferably three, extending throughout this annular spacing 15 between the members 11 and 12.. These lift members 14 constitute screw-like spiral members, the inner edges of which are secured sealably to the wall of the member 11 and the outer edge of those members 14 are sealably secured to the wall of the member 11. This provides a closed water passageway from the bottom of the member 11 between ascending turns of the member 14 to the top open end of the space 1S. The spiralling space between the turns of the members 14 is confined with the members 11 and 12 turning therewith so that there is no outside or inside stationary walls over which the fluid could otherwise drag. As indicated in FIG. 2, the pitch of each of these spiral members 14 is approximately constant between the lower and upper ends of the members 11 and 12.

There is a vertical drive shaft 16 extending axially through the member 12 and xed thereto in rotative driving relation. Across the lower end of the housing 1t) is fixed a drive shaft bearing support member generally designated by the numeral 17. The member 17 is pro vided with a plurality of openings 23 for passage of Huid therethrough. The member 17 carries at least one thrust bearing 26 to support the lower end of the shaft 16.

The upper end of the housing 10 is provided in the present showing with an outwardly extending, horizontally disposed flange 28 extending therearound. A centrifugal pump housing 29 is secured to this flange 28 by any suitable means, herein indicated as one possibility by cap screws 30.

Within the housing 29 is carried a plurality of impelling vanes 31 which are integrally secured between top and bottom plates 24 and 25, FIG. 3. The top plate 24 is provided with an upturned sleeve 33 through which the shaft 16 passes and is secured in rotative driving connection therewith. The underside of the plate 24 has a central, inverted `conical shape 30. A top side of the housing 10 constitutes a floor 47 over which the vanos 31 travel. The central zone of the iioor 47 has a downturned curving collar 43 following the curvature of the inner ends of the vanes 31.

A pump housing cover plate 34 covers over the housing 29 with a running clearance over the bucket plate 24, and is secured to the housing 29 in any suitable manner herein indicated as by the Cap Screws 35. The central area of this plate 34 is open, and an upstanding, tubular support 36 has a lower end portion surrounding this plate opening end extends upwardly therefrom, the support 36 being indicated herein although not necessarily so, as an integral part of the plate 34. Within the support 36, there is a sealed bearing .37 through which the shaft 16 extends to take the radial as well as the vertical thrust of the shaft. A support member 36 may carry a pump drive motor (not shown.)

Referring now to the centrifugal pump primarily, the central inlet opening is designated by the numeral 27. From this opening the blades 31 curve horizontally spirally in spaced relation one from the other. It is to be noted particularly that there are two scrolls 40 and 41 receivingv water discharging from between the blades 31. Each of these scrolls extend circumferentially around the housing 29 approximately equal distances such as on the order of 130 degrees each. The scroll 40 cross-sectional area starts from zero at the zone 42 and gradually increases in cross-sectional area to the zone 43 from where the scroll merges into the dischargeV conduit 44. The scroll 41 starts at the zone 46 from where it spirals to eventually merge into the second water conduit 45.

Assuming that the shaft 16 is rotating counter-clockwise in a driving manner, the combined units 11, 12 and 14 are turning in that direction also which will elevate water from the openings 23 primarily directly under the members 11 and 12, upwardly into the central zone 27 of the vanes 31. The members 10, 11, and 12 will normally be submerged in the water by their lower ends at least so that the water is always available in the lower end portion of the space 15 to be available for this elevating action. Since the pitch of the blades 14 is constant and the diameter of the space 15 decreases as the elevation increases, the elevating water will be gradually given an increased discharging speed, since the larger volume picked up at the lower ends is carried upwardly to discharge through a smaller opening. The vanes 31 are simultaneously turning, and water entering under pressure into the zone 27 spreads immediately out between the vanes-31 where it is given added impetus and its major velocity as it leaves the outer edges of those vanes 31 and enters the two scrolls 40 and 41. By entering the central neutral zone 27 of the vanes 31, there is no confiict between ow of water entering therein and that discharge from the outer ends of the vanes. The inner ends of the vanes 31 are turned downwardly to follow between the conical shape 2i? and a downwardly curving central portion of the plate 25 as is indicated in FIG. 3. It has been noted in U.S. Patents Nos. 2,659,311 and 718,557, that an attempt has been made in the past to fiow Water horizontally in an unconfined manner to what has been termed a centrifugal pump rotating on a horizontal axis by discharging the horizontally flowing water directly into outer portions of the vanes, and this of course nullifies the normal action of a centrifugal pump.

The overall diameters of the outer edges of the vanes 31 are sufficiently great in connection with the number of vanes employed to supply sufficient water to the two conduits 44 and 45 at high velocity simultaneously, and the shaft 16 may be rotated at speeds of 3,000 r.p.m. with good pumping action.l

Thus', by means of the structure above defined, there is a centrifugal pump having vanes rotating on a vertical axis and there is an axial water inlet to the vanes which discharge the water into at least one spiral scroll. Then, to insure a supply of water to the vanes there is a conical, screw lift from the water supply delivering water axially of and to the vanes to insure against cavitation and loss of prime While I have herein shown and described my invention in this one particular form, it is obvious that structural changes may be made particularly in the exterior contours of the various members, and the number of vanes employed, and in the angle of the imembers 11 and 12, all without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I therefore do not desire to be limited to that precise form beyond the limitations which may be imposed by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A pump structure having two stages, comprising a vertically extending drive shaft;

a first hollow frusto-conical member drivingly fixed to said shaft;

a second frusto-conical member of approximately equal height to and being within said first member, drivingly fixed to said shaft and radially spaced from the first member defining an annular space therebetween;

at least one continuous spiral member extending from the lower to top ends of said two members and engaging by its side edges to both of said members forming a confined spiral chamber therebetween open at bottom and top of those members;

an impeller unit above said members and driving fixed to said shaft;

said impeller unit having a central zone open from its underside and comprised a number of vanes of common length radiating horizontally from the zone with openings therebetween from said zone;

a housing surrounding the outer ends of said vanes with at least one side opening;

a discharge conduit; and

a scroll spiralling from over said opening and discharging into said conduit.

2. Ths structure of claim 1, in which there is an upper plate fixed across the top edges of said vanes;

a lower plate fixed across the bottom edges of said vanes;

a surface extending from the under side of said upper plate, downwardly extending into a central, inverted conical shape about said shaft; and

said impeller unit bottom plate curving in said central zone to a central zone to a circular opening approximately equal to the top opening of said outer frustoconical member.

3. The structure of claim 1, in which there is a second side opening in said vane housing approximately opposite to said first side opening;

a second discharge conduit; and

ak scroll spiralling from over said second opening and merging into said conduit;

said housing side openings being approximately dianietrically opopsite each other.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,717,694 6/29 Kraut 10388 2,159,278 5/39 Lesley 230`l20 2,659,311 ll/53 Schaffer 10393 X 2,721,677 10/55 Meredew et al. 2,934,245 4/60 Emeny 1 103-103 2,984,189 5/61 Jekat 103-88 FOREIGN PATENTS 4,793 1911 Great Britain.

DONLEY l. STOCKING, Primary Examiner. 

1. A PUMP STRUCTURE HAVING TWO STAGES, COMPRISING A VERTICALLY EXTENDING DRIVE SHAFT; A FIRST HOLLOW FRUSTO-CONICAL MEMBER DRIVINGLY FIXED TO SAID SHAFT; A SECOND FRUSTO-CONICAL MEMBER OF APPROXIMATELY EQUAL HEIGHT TO AND BEING WITHIN SAID FIRST MEMBER, DRIVINGLY FIXED TO SAID SHAFT AND RADIALLY SPACED FROM THE FIRST MEMBER DEFINING AN ANNULAR SPACE THEREBETWEEN; AT LEAST ONE CONTINUOUS SPIRAL MEMBER EXTENDING FROM THE LOWER TO TOP ENDS OF SAID TWO MEMBERS AND ENGAGING BY ITS SIDE EDGES TO BOTH OF SAID MEMBERS FORMING A CONFINED SPIRAL CHAMBER THEREBETWEEN OPEN AT BOTTOM AND TOP OF THOSE MEMBERS; AN IMPELLER UNIT ABOVE SAID MEMBERS AND DRIVING FIXED TO SAID SHAFT; SAID IMPELLER UNIT HAVING A CENTRAL ZONE OPEN FROM ITS UNDERSIDE AND COMPRISED A NUMBER OF VANES OF COMMON LENGTH RADIATING HORIZONTALLY FROM THE ZONE A HOUSING SURROUNDING THE OUTER ENDS OF SAID VANES WITH AT LEAST ONE SIDE OPENING; A DISCHARGE CONDUIT; AND A SCROLL SPIRALLING FROM OVER SAID OPENING AND DISCHARGING INTO SAID CONDUIT. 